How to Check for Siding Damage on Your Home After a Storm

After your home has been through a severe storm, it is quite possible it may have suffered various types of damage. If you have siding on your home, this can be one part that is prone to being damaged by wind, hail, and various things that may be flying through the air. But once the storm passes, you need to be proactive in checking for siding damage so that you can arrange for whatever repairs may be necessary. To make sure you realize where damage has taken place, here are some signs to look for during your inspection.

Splits and Cracks

If your siding is starting to age, high winds or debris that hit against it in a storm may result in splits and cracks to individual pieces. Should you find this type of damage, you may be able to seal up the cracks as a temporary fix, but then should concentrate on getting any damaged pieces replaced.

Soft Areas

After a storm that has had plenty of rain, check your siding for any soft areas that may exist underneath the siding itself. If you touch a piece of siding that is warped and feels soft behind it, chances are this means water has been getting behind it and rotting out the wood underneath. If this is the case, work with storm damage restoration specialists to get your home back in top condition.

Discoloration

In some situations after a storm, you may notice certain areas of your siding are discolored. While this may indicate some rotting has taken place in that part of your home, it could also mean you have additional problems such as termite infestation. Along with getting the damaged siding replaced, you should also get your home checked out by a pest control specialist to make sure you don't have termite problems of which you were unaware.

Dents and Dings

If you live in an area where hail is a common part of thunderstorms, it is almost a certainty that your home's siding will suffer some dents and dings after the storm has passed. Since this type of damage is usually covered by homeowners insurance, it should be no problem to work with your insurance company to get it replaced.

While you certainly hope your home's siding comes through a storm unscathed, knowing how to check for damage and get the necessary repairs enacted as fast as possible can save you time as well as money.

Guest Post - What to Do About Hazards Uncovered During a Renovation

Home renovation can be such an exciting opportunity! Out with the old and worn out and in with the new, sleek upgrades. They can mean making the most of the home that you love and creating a more livable and appropriate space for the things you like to do. Beyond that, home renovations can greatly improve the longevity of your home as well as the overall home value should you decide to sell in the future. 

However, home renovations are no joke either. Many movies and home improvement shows skim over the real tough and dirty work and focus on characters laughing as they get into a paint war, some hip 80’s music as they move ladders around, or tears of joy as the work is finished and shown off. In reality, home renovation projects can take months and leave a portion of your home unusable during that time. They are fantastic when finished, but the process can be a real bear.  

Perhaps one of the most dreaded things associated with home renovations is the risk of pulling back the carpet or wall and discovering a hazard. These finds can grind production to a halt and greatly increase the cost of home improvement. But they are necessary to deal with, so it is important to have a plan. 

Understanding the Risks

There is a plethora of hazardous building materials that could be uncovered during any home renovation project. The mid-1900s brought hundreds of wondrous building materials that turned out to be a bit less than what they were cracked up to be. Materials such as lead, asbestos, PCBs, heavy metals, and radioactive products could turn up. 

Most of the time, these materials aren’t too much of a hazard if left undisturbed. For example, asbestos — which was used heavily in construction between the 1940s and 1970s — is pretty safe if left untouched. However, if disturbed during a home renovation, the tiny particles can easily be breathed in and burrow deep into the lungs. Ultimately, asbestos exposure can cause all sorts of respiratory issues from asthma to certain types of cancer. 

Sometimes it isn’t necessarily the materials used that are the concern, but rather the methods. Older wiring, for instance, can lead to all sorts of problems such as outlets and lights that randomly don’t work to increased fire risk. The electrical wiring in homes wasn’t originally intended to last more than 30-40 years, so considering electricity when starting a renovation project is well worth the extra time and money. 

When to Call in Backup

Uncovering many of these unexpected hazards can mean significant changes to your home renovation plans. Oftentimes, fixing and cleaning up these hazards appropriately and safely can be a real challenge. It may be well worth the extra funding to call in a professional to help, especially if it is something that could put your family or home at risk if not completed properly. 

Some situations may also warrant calling your insurance company. For example, if you are exposed to asbestos or other contaminants you could have some of the costs associated with fixing the problem and dealing with any serious health risks covered by your insurer. Take a moment to review your policy and determine if this is something you can do.  

Finally, before doing any work or renovations on your home, try to make sure you know what you’re potentially getting into. Just like when you move into a new place, do an assessment. Review your home’s information and see if any asbestos or lead was reported in your mortgage purchase, check for leaks and their causes, review where electrical wiring likely is, and search out hazards that could exist. 

With any luck, your renovations will be hazard-free, and you’ll be well on your way to the home you’ve always dreamed of living in! 

Author Bio: Noah Rue is a freelance writer.

4 Ways to Spot Water Damage in Your Home

Whether you are looking to purchase a new home or simply want to inspect your own, understanding how to spot water damage is critical to preventing bigger issues from occurring. Understandably, this can be difficult for someone who may have never attempted to look for water damage or even know what may be causing it. Thus the following includes four ways to spot water damage within your home.

Check the Common Spots First

Even if you have never attempted to look for water damage, there are a few spots that are very obvious to most homeowners where water can cause issues. That is why it is so important to begin the process within these areas first. These areas include your basement/attic (if applicable), all your bathrooms and kitchen. Although not always the case, these areas will often provide you with the first signs of trouble.

Unexplained Humidity

Is your home suddenly feeling a little humid? This may be a sign that there is water damage somewhere within your home. You should begin chasing the area where the humidity is the strongest to get a good idea of where the water is sitting.

Soft Spots

Contrary to popular belief, not all damage from water is going to be visible to the naked eye. Sometimes, the water leaks will be so small that they do not cause any visual damage to the paint or wallpaper but rather slowly begin to soften your walls. If you suspect that you may have water damage somewhere within your walls, you may begin pressing gently against them to figure out where exactly the issue is located.

Detection of Mold

One of the most obvious signs of water damage is the sudden appearance of mold. Mold can look dark black or greenish in color and will thrive where water and oxygen are abundant. However, it must be noted that small amounts of mold within your bathroom is not uncommon, and thus further examination of this room must be conducted before water damage is officially labeled as the issue.

Damage from water can be extremely damaging to not only the home but your health and those within it. That is why it is so important to conduct these tests every few months or when issues such as a foul smell appear out of nowhere. You may also seek the services of a professional to ensure that a thorough inspection is done.

4 Common Repairs a Home Needs Before You Rent It Out

There's no doubt about it; today, people are quickly choosing to head into single-family homes rather than apartments. This has caused a huge demand and one that you should be ready for if you are someone looking for tenants. The following includes four of the most common repairs a home needs before renting it out to new tenants. 

Plumbing 

Plumbing is not only one of the most complicated things to deal with but one of the most expensive. That is why it is one of the most important things to check out first within a rental. Other than the complicated and expensive process, not checking the pipes and water supply before bringing in tenants can also lead to legal problems where your tenants can legally get out of paying you rent. This is because not providing a livable home can be considered a breach of contract. 

Removing & Preventing Pests

If the home that you are considering renting out has not had tenants in a while, you may end up having to deal with pest removal. Pests love to huddle around areas where they are not disturbed, and a home with no previous tenants is a perfect spot. That is why it is highly recommended to bring in a professional exterminator to look within your walls, floors, and ceiling and eliminate any critters that may have set up shop within the home. 

Electrical Issues 

No matter if your property has been sitting vacant for months or you just had tenants move out, you must always ensure that all the electrical devices and wiring are in working order. Electrical repairs can be very complicated, and thus, bringing in a professional electrician is highly recommended for this step of the renting process. Things that they should be investigating include all the condition of wall outlets, the home breaker box, and other parts of the home, such as the garage door opener. 

Furnace & HVAC Repairs

One of the most important things for a tenant include the home's comfortability. That is why it is paramount that you ensure that the home's furnace or HVAC system is in working order. Fortunately, it is rather easy to investigate this home component as any issues are often very noticeable. For example, you must lookout for a lack of power coming from the vents, loud noises, odd smells, and debris around the HVAC system outside the home as signs that there is something wrong. 

As you can see from the information above, there are several items that need to be taken care of before renting out a home to new tenants. That is why it is highly recommended to take the information above and begin applying it to your particular property.